Most of you know it. For many it is downright, annoyingly addictive. Is there a pinning intervention in your future?

So why oh why did I feel oh so inspired to write about Pinterest? Well, I have been reading some interesting thoughts about the site lately.

The one that stuck out in my head was that a large chunk of people are not happier after they log into Pinterest. In actuality, they are generally sad by the time they log off. The reasoning? Well, Pinterest is overload of “pretty” things. It makes people feel inadequate. Things that make people say “I want that!” I need that!” Or maybe it makes you cringe when you see that picture of the model with the perfectly toned body. She is seemingly unaware of the camera while she looks longingly into the sunset. Complete a caption, something along the lines of, “build a better body in two weeks.” Or you can search for DIY projects; if you are into that sort of thing; and see perfectly constructed living rooms with a gorgeous girl holding her dewalt drill just putting the final touches on her “five minute” wainscoting trick.

I joke. Well sorta.

You know I could see it. I really could. Do not get me wrong, I LOVE Pinterest. I do and I am not ashamed to admit it. I love that I can organize my ideas into categories. I really enjoy organization. I like that I can get inspired to try something new. Whether it be a recipe or a new tool. And I really like power tools. Like for reals.

But I get how someone who is not feeling like their super awesome self (you are awesome and I hope you know that) could feel a little down when they look at all the seeming “perfection.” You see a picture of a woman, a man and a child you just assume they are a wonderfully happy family. Maybe that is something you really wanted and haven’t achieved yet, so it makes you a little down. I know that for me, since losing Faith, some days it is really hard to see big Mama bellies. Just one of those things I guess…Or perhaps it is something more simplistic, you just finished decorating your new house in yellow and gray. You hop on Pinterest to have a bit of down time. Quickly you notice all the rooms are decorated in a punchy coral shade and all your decorating seems a little drab.

Well, do you wanna know what I think? You don’t?

Ok, well I am going to share anyways…I think you are fantastic. You were fantastic long before Pinterest and will be fantastic long after. I also think if something like pinning makes you sad, you should probably stop. Just delete those silly little boards. And maybe, just maybe it is not Pinterest, maybe it is you? Maybe there is this idea in your head of who you want to be, who you want to look like and what you want to wear. Maybe Pinterest has what you think you need and can’t have?

In my thirty years on this beautiful Earth one thing I can guarantee you is that things are oftenmostly usually not what they seem. The grass IS NOT greener on the other side. “She” is not doing it all. “They” don’t have the perfect life, or the perfect house, or the perfect car, or the perfect kids. You did not mess up your kids because you didn’t shove pipe cleaners in a light filled sensory bin or make homemade slime.

It sort of reminds me of the saying “keeping up with the Joneses.” Well, guess what. I can’t stand that Jones family, who are they anyway? I think they are whoever you decide is better than you. And why would you think anyone is better than you anyway? Remember I told you that you are awesome!

I will use the idea of decorating a house, cause you know over the past two years that’s what’s been going on over here. Two years plus you say. That’s right, you know why? Because not only do I love the challenge of decorating on a budget, I also like to do it with money we actually have. Have we had to wait for a lot of things? You betcha. But, here is the kicker, when we are finally all saved up and can go out to buy or build (generally the later) what we have been thinking of, we appreciate it SO much more. Have we suffered because we have hanging sheets on our bedroom windows or a beat up, too big, too tall coffee table in our living room. Nope. Those sheets have lovingly blocked out the light for some extremely pleasant sleeps. And Gray has put a whole lot of extra love into that old coffee table. That makes me appreciate that someone gave us that old table for him to imagine and create on. I decorate what I love and I use Pinterest as an inspiration, as a starting point. I really like to try and use what we have in a new way. And I make an effort to not those rude Joneses get in my head.

After all, I am striving to create a home. I don’t want a meticulously designed house, I want you to see us in our house. Our style, not someone else’s idea of who we are. I want people to be comfortable when they visit and I want Gray to be able to eat cheezies on the couch. That sounds pretty perfect to me, maybe not Pinterest “perfect.” But just right for us.

And so I think Pinterest is what you make of it. Think of it as a fun outlet when you have twenty minutes to yourself. Don’t think, “I cant do that, I can’t afford that.” Think about what you can do. You find a $300 skirt you love but cannot afford, maybe you could recreate it? Maybe your child has a new found love for broccoli (does that actually happen in real life) and you could find a new way to prepare it. Or you know what? Just don’t do it at all, Pinterest, just like everything is not all it is cracked up be. So just don’t log in. Whatever you do know that “they” are not smarter, prettier, sexier or more lovable than you.

No one is. In fact, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” – Dr. Suess

And when is Dr. Suess ever wrong? I mean he is nothing like the Joneses, pretty one of a kind if you ask me.

#141 – peanut butter (G’s absolute, hands down favorite food ever!)
#142 – little Hope
#143 – and the way the Lord is working in all our lives because of her
#144 – celebrating a 30th birthday with a very special friend
#145 – my little “sister” who is thriving at her new career (I am SO proud of you)
#146 – sunshine streaming in through our windows
#147 – This song
#148 – the playful nature of little Gray
#149 – watching my high school boyfriend play hockey
#150 – fun car fabric for G’s room
#151 – friends who surprise you
#152 – friends who I miss
#153 – Montessori
#154 – this Bible verse –Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them,
for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

#155 – YOU! All of you who come here and read, share, encourage and pray.
You are awesome! Thank you 🙂

Like this:

I remember being little and loving dresses. I had a favorite neon green dress! It was black on top with neon green stripes on the skirt. It had poufy, short sleeves. I loved that dress.

I also have a friend, J. When we were little, her and her sister always wore the most beautiful bubble dresses, they were so cute! Flowery and poufy.

Every girl should have a pretty dress.

Dress A Girl Around the World is very cool. They also believe every little girl deserves to have their very own pretty dress.

You can sew a dress (or many) and donate them. Your dress will make its way to a beautiful little girl. They have sent 164,000 dresses to 65 countries, amazing! It would be fun to get together with other sewers and make a day of it.

If you do not sew you can still donate to help support this incredible mission.